I listened live and I thought Reiss had poor arguments, avoided directly answering questions, and had difficulty connecting the dots on a complicated subject.
For instance, his story two weeks ago on how both parties wanted the same thing and how there was optimism to get a deal done ....complete homer bunk.
What we know now....according to Reiss, the WW camp was asking for 3/$24 all along but either the Pats didn't have an offer on the table (reporters reporting the NEP hadn't submitted their first offer until the final day of tampering) or according to Reiss (again on the 3rd tampering day) that an offer was on the table and we learn after the fact it was 2/$10 plus incentives. Using this knowledge, Reiss writes there's "optmism" ???? Sorry .....1 year and $14 mill apart. You don't write such a story when the facts don't support the argument. Clearly he was being fed some crap and he bit. A few days later, Bob Kraft rolls out his "I love WW and Patriot for Like" schtick.......Starting to sound familiar????
Reiss continues to defend his team friendly defense claiming the 2/$10 ++ was essentially the same deal Denver was offering....So Maz asks....So why did he choose Denver Mike R.? You wrote both teams were optimistic, both teams wanted it done, Welker wanted to work with Brady. If it is essentially the same money, what happened. Reiss defended with the timing issue which I buy, some what.
No doubt Felger is brash....but the guy was imbedded in Foxboro for a dozen years and knows how the team operates the back channels to get info out into the public by exerting their influence over reporters. Everyone scratching everyone's back. Listen, I love Reiss and appreciate the volume of info he pumps out. I will never say he fabricates, but lets be honest, he is always looking for filler and he bit on the "both sides are optimistic" narrative that he was fed at a time when the fan base was getting antsy that WW hadn't been resigned. As I wrote in a post last week, no agent EVER limits his clients options. On this point alone, it is clear to me the Reiss "optimistic" story did NOT come from WW's camp. No legitimate agent makes concessions in the press...and confirming your optimistic and hopeful is a sign of weakness.
Reiss's greatest asset is his work ethic and organization. But he's the play by play guy, not the analyst.
The funny thing about the Felger interrogation is that four days before this blew up, I sent Reiss a question referencing how I felt his pro team bent was becoming a bit too transparent, citing his "optimistic" story. My point was similar to what I wrote above...no agent would offer the "optimistic" impression, only a team would. Looks like Felger and I agree....scary.
PS...that was great radio....that was real interaction and I loved the intensity from both. After the fact, both Felger and Mas and Gasper all went above and beyond expressing their deepest admiration for Reiss....likely realizing they crossed the imaginary boundary of criticizing a fellow media guy, especially one held in such high esteem by so many. Still....it was honest conflict for a change which was refreshing. Give me someone that wears their emotions on their sleeves anytime over the controlled crap "professional" media lifers spew out.
